surgical

Everyday

1. Surgical means to do with surgery, the work of doctors who operate on the body. tree →
2. Surgical means very exact and careful, as if done by a surgeon. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science it describes tools and clothing used in hospitals: surgical gloves, surgical masks, surgical instruments. In news, «surgical» can describe something done very precisely. Phrases: «surgical mask», «surgical gloves», «surgical procedure», «with surgical precision».

Examples

• The nurse wore surgical gloves. tree →
• Surgical masks stop germs from spreading. tree →
• The doctor used a surgical knife called a scalpel. tree →
• Grandma needs a small surgical operation on her knee. tree →
• The tools were kept in a surgical tray. tree →
• She cut the paper shapes with surgical precision. tree →
• Surgical instruments must be very clean. tree →

Note

Adverb: surgically. Noun: surgery; person: surgeon. Spelling ends in «-ical». «Surgical spirit» (UK) is a cleaning alcohol, not a drink.